($1,198) Movers From Pennsylvania to Des Moines

Quick answer: The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA averages from $703 to $6,317 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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Hiring a professional Pennsylvania moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Des Moines, IA to Pennsylvania guide.

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Moving from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA.

But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 926 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Pennsylvania to Des Moines is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Pennsylvania to Des Moines.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here our our recommended services for small moves.

What is the average cost to move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,198 - $4,741 $845 - $2,183 $698 - $1,283
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,556 - $6,317 $1,532 - $3,224 $703 - $1,556
4+ bedrooms $4,037 - $8,348 $2,148 - $4,189 $910 - $1,909

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 926 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Pennsylvania, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire professional movers from Pennsylvania to Des Moines?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Des Moines will cost between $1,198 to $4,741. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Des Moines will range from $2,556 to $6,317, and a large move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines will cost from $4,037 to $8,348.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Pennsylvania to Des Moines?

Moving containers from Pennsylvania to Des Moines will cost you $845 to $2,183 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,532 to $3,224. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,148 to $4,189.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Des Moines.

How much is a moving truck from Pennsylvania to Des Moines?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $698 to $1,283. A larger move will cost $703 to $1,556, and a four-bedroom or more move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines costs from $910 to $1,909. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from Pennsylvania.

Is moving from Pennsylvania to Des Moines, IA a good idea?

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Des Moines, IA

Pennsylvania Des Moines
Average rent cost $958 $1,150
Average home value $254,802 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $58,492
Unemployment rate 3% 6%
State income tax 3% 4%
  • Rent is about 20% more expensive in Des Moines than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 25% lower in Des Moines than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 20% lower in Des Moines than in Pennsylvania.
  • Des Moines has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 74%.
  • Income taxes are 43% higher in Des Moines than in Pennsylvania.

How is life different in Des Moines from Pennsylvania?

Des Moines Pennsylvania
Population 699,292 12,964,056
Political leaning Democratic 57-41 Democratic 50-49
Summer high 86ºF 83ºF
Winter low 13ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 36" 44"
Annual snow 33" 38"
Crime index 5.0 19.07
  • The population of Des Moines is approximately 95% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Des Moines voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Des Moines is 86ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Des Moines reaches the temperature of 13ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Des Moines vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Des Moines, it snows about 33 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 19.07 vs 5.0.

Considerations for moving to Des Moines, IA

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Iowa. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local Pennsylvania movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Zip to Zip Moving Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341
(484) 214-2143
Gardner Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
757 Millers Run Rd, McDonald, PA, 15057
(412) 257-4443

Visit our best movers in Pennsylvania page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Need a local Des Moines mover?

Company Quote Rating Contact
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our best movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Des Moines?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Des Moines.

Museums in Des Moines

  • Des Moines Art Center
  • State Historical Museum
  • Science Center of Iowa
  • Salisbury House
  • World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
  • Wells Fargo Museum
  • Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
  • Polk County Heritage Gallery

Parks in Des Moines

  • Gray's Lake Park
  • Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
  • Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
  • Clive Greenbelt Trail
  • Des Moines River Trail
  • Rotary Riverwalk Park

Sports Teams in Des Moines

  • Drake Bulldogs

Universities in Des Moines

  • AIB College of Business
  • Mercy College of Health Sciences
  • Drake University
  • Grand View University
  • Vatterott College Des Moines

FAQs

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Des Moines?

Because of the 926-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Des Moines as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Des Moines, IA?

With the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 13ºF, most people move to Des Moines from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Des Moines during summer or winter.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Des Moines?

Check out our full breakdown of the best long-distance movers in Des Moines.

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